Paving-block



n. E. MQDOWELL.

No. 436,989. Patented se ms, 1890 pal/1Q El i-17 we W4 AT T Ofi/VEY.

0/ a II a'e c 0 DAVID E.' MCDOWELL,

PAVING- PATENT OFFICE.

OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 436,989, dated September 23, 1890.

Application filed January 2, 1890.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DAVID E. MCDOWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at O0- lumbus, in the county of Franklin'and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Paving-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of paving-blocks, and has particular relation to blocks for street-paving.

The objects of my invention are to provide paving-blocks of this class of such construction as to form, when laid together as hereinafter described, a firm and durable pavement; to so construct the same as to cause their ends to interlock one with the other; to make said blocks reversible, and to so form the sides thereof as to facilitate the formation of a firm and reliable connection between the sides of adjoining blocks. These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of one of my improved blocks. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line or or of Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section showing two of said blocks joined, and Fig. 4 is a plan view showing several of said blocks laid together.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

a represents the body of one of my improved blocks, which consists, as shown, of an oblong blockof the ordinary height and length of paving-blocks, and preferably formed of hard-burned clay. Each of the upper and lower edges of the block ais beveled, as shown, so that when laid together as hereinafter described V-shaped grooves or corrugations will be formed between the blocks, which will enable the horses traveling thereon to gain a foothold. Each of the longitudinal sides of the block a is provided on each side of the center of its height with a longitudinal beveled groove 1), which when viewed in crosssection forms an acute angle. The space between the bases of these two angular grooves forms a central longitudinal rib c. The bevels of the grooves b are preferably begun at points about midway between the rib c and the upper and lower side of the block, re-

spectively, thus leaving three vertical plain Serial No. 335,565. (No model.)

ing, as shown, or may present a fiat outer sur- I face; but in either case a short fiat shoulder is formed by its upper and lower sides. The

remaining end of the block is provided with a central transverse groove 01, which conforms to the shape and is the counterpart of the tongue (1.

As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the blocks are preferably so laid together as to break j oints. The blocks being thus laid, it will be seen that the central rib c and the plain faces of the blocks above and below the same will adjoin, and that the peculiar form of the grooves b will result in the formation between the blocks of triangular spaces, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In joining the ends of the blocks the tongues d are made to enter the grooves 61', as shown in Fig. 3.

After the laying of the herein-described blocks tar or other similar uniting substance is poured between the blocks, suflicient space existing between the blocks to admit of this being done. The uniting substance, as will readily be seen, will enter and finally fill the triangular space between the'blocks formed by the grooves 11 and, becoming hardened therein, firmly unite the blocks.

Although other paving-blocks are united by tar poured between them, it will readily be seen that the peculiar form of grooves herein shown and described will result in the conversion of the tar into a longitudinal triangular key, which when hardened will tend to lock the blocks firmly against upward or downward movement, thus insuring a uniform and flush Wearing-surface. Tar or other similar substance is also poured between the ends of the blocks, as shown at f in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and in order to admit the tar between the tongue and groove the former is preferably made slightly shorter than the latter.

Owing to the upper half of the block being aduplicate of the lower half, it is obvious that the herein-described blocks are reversible.

By the existence of the flat shoulder of the tongues and grooves a reliable bearing is had between the ends of the blocks, which is particularly desirable in the formation of arched work.

The bearing of one block upon the other, which is afforded by the tongue-and-groove connection, not only gives a more perfect connection, but operates to distribute the weight which may fall upon a block among the adjoining blocks.

I am aware of Patent No. 310,662, in which angular grooves are made to separate a laterally-projecting tongue which is adapted to enter the socket of the adjoining block, and I am also aware of Patent No. 345,7 26, in which a projecting tongue which encircles a block is adapted to enter grooves of a similar form in adjoining blocks, and therefore do not claim, broadly, such construction.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An oblong paving-block having its upper and lower edges beveled and having above and below the center of its height longitudinal grooves in the form of acute angles, the surface of the block between said grooves being in the same plane with the surface above and below said grooves.

2. The combinationflna pavingblock, of an oblong block having its upper and lower edges beveled and having above and below the center of its height longitudinal grooves in the form of an acute angle, as described, the surface of the block between said grooves being in the same plane with the surface of the block above and below said grooves, with a central tongue projecting from one end and a groove formed in the opposite end of said block, substantially as described.

DAVID E. MCDOWELL.

In presence of C. O. SHEPHERD, V. S. SHEPHERD. 

